A Little Bit of Positive Input....

are12 · Dec 14, 2006

Alright, it seems we all have something to complain about - no matter what company we work for. And sometimes it seems that no one is happy so I would just like to say a few things.
Yes, there are things about Panther that I do not care for - hopefully the new council can help with some of the issues. But, after all is said and done, we do like our job and working for Panther.
I can honestly say we have made money in the 3 years that we have been with Panther. When we 1st started in this business, we bought a 2000 Freightliner and within 16 months, we traded that truck in on a 2006 Sterling. To us, that was an achievement! We had money in the bank and even went on a great vacation this past year. We trailered our motorcyle down to Springhill FL, 2 days after Christmas, spent some time with Jim's stepmom and then headed to Key West on the bike- leaving our pickup and trailer in Springhill. We headed for home and back to work towards the end of January. It was the best vacation I have ever been on since I did not have to worry about how much money I was spending. Unfortuantely, we were only back to work a couple of weeks when we got rear-ended in CA and our truck was out of commission for the month of February. Still, we did not have to worry since we managed to save a pretty penny from the time we started with Panther. And since my best friend lives out that way, we managed to turn it into another vacation - for the most part. Managed to get to Disneyland and Hollywood Blvd.
Yes, things have been slower for everyone this year but I am thankful that we have managed to put away money just for times like this and the unforeseen - like the accident and then we had to take the month of July off because of Jim's Mom taking a turn for the worse and passing away.
So, you see, we may :censoredsign:

and complain about certain things that have to do with Panther and expediting in general but for the most part, we are content in our job.

RichM · Dec 14, 2006

See thats an advantage to being independent. No one can force you into running hard and taking poor paying loads.You can take as much time off as you need without consequnces.

Over the years we have made many side trips in rental cars and enjoyed ourselfs without fear of retaliation. Life is short,take what it offers and don't sweat the small stuff.

Chuck are you listening?

davekc · Dec 14, 2006

Good post. Many times some look at just part of the picture rather than ALL of it. It is a great recognition of a situation that many would want to have.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

x06col · Dec 15, 2006

Yes, a very good post. Seems most folks that are in this business have acquired, from somewhere, a "handy dandy little woodchuck guide to expediting" in which states somewhere, that, you can't enjoy yourself on the road. Couldn't be further from the facts. I have had folks that have run long and hard, then end up in Florida in January, and couldn't allow themselves a couple days at Miami Beach in the sun. Just was not natural, they had to be taking their time off in Michigan at ten degrees, at home. And, unlike the original poster, most seem to be happy with a couple days "living" in the bank stead'a 2 - 3 months which is a real recipe for disaster (heart burn) for all concerned, drivers, owners, and companys.

TeamCaffee · Dec 15, 2006

are12

We also follow your principal of putting money away for a rainy day or month so we can enjoy ourselves. We also keep extra on hand so if we find ourselves in a great place with time on our hands we can become a tourist. Our jobs offer us the greatest flexibility if we take advantage of it. You just have to keep your priorities you have to make it before you send it. We have had a great year also. Seen great things, met great people and are really looking forward to another great year in 2007.

pelicn · Dec 15, 2006

Great post!

Our biggest problem is remembering that we do have this flexibility. We are still fighting that "tractor/trailer" mentality. Keep posting stuff like this as a reminder please!

nobb4u · Dec 16, 2006

As for putting away, I have my handy dandy little zippered bank bag and 5% of every load goes into that little envelope. I use it for fun, emergencies, minor repairs and maintenance. I keep this with me and when it reaches a certain amount I bank the larger portion and start over. Just a little idea I came up with sure helps when Comdata or the ATMâ€™s are down.

ATeam · Dec 16, 2006

>See thats an advantage to being independent. No one can
>force you into running hard and taking poor paying loads.You
>can take as much time off as you need without consequnces.

Expediting is also a business that gives you the freedom to set high goals and work as hard as you wish. In terms of gross income paid to the truck, 2006 has been our best year in three years of expediting. We are looking forward to an even better year in 2007 because we anticipate less down time in 2007 than 2006.

For those who may be inclined to jump in and say, "It is not how much you make, it is how much you keep." 2006 has been a good year by that standard too. The new truck we bought is being easily paid for with the 40% we used to pay to fleet owners for the use of their trucks. Our after-tax savings and retirement savings rates are as good or better than prior years.

Business is good. Life is good. Thank you, are12, for starting a positive thread

x06col · Dec 16, 2006

That's right ATEAM, 40% of gross makes a heck of a truck payment if you need one. I wouldn't drive a truck for someone across the street in this business (going against expert recommendations on this site) for just the reasons you state in your post. I also would not invest 80K in a machine with the Taj attached. Get a sleeper big enough to sleep in, store your necessary things in the cargo area if you have to and get about the business of attaining a gross, then, see how much you have left.

ATeam · Dec 17, 2006

To each his own, OK? I have never once suggested that people should build a truck like ours. Nor would I suggest people should buy trucks like yours. Each owner-operator should have the truck that is right (and profitable) for him or her. Also, kindly note that our monthly truck payment is nowhere near 40% of the gross.

A positive thread has been started here. Can we keep it that way, just this once?

x06col · Dec 17, 2006

I'm not at all pick'in at your truck. Sorry if you felt that. I'm just saying, keep your costs down, and do it for yourself. If in fact your payments approach 40% of gross, shame on you. Ten percent or less would be realistic I feel. The 80K figure I mentioned, which IS a lot of money to me, to have to pay off, I imagine wouldn't make a decent down payment on your machine. Which wouldn't be for me. All i'd like the newbs to go away with is, keep your fixed costs managable. And when and if you have earned your Taj, go for it.